The Delta Robot is a specialized CNC architecture designed for high speed manipulation of small objects over a large work area. It has advantages over traditional “cartesian” CNC systems in that the independent joint positioning prevents compounding errors and improves accuracy. One such device has been outlined above.
Here the structure consists of 3 arms linked to a single point, and a central support brace to stabilize the assembly. The arms are controlled by motors at the top of the robot, adjusting the angle of each joint in order to position the head. A video of the Delta Robot in motion has been included to better outline its unique form of movement.
Clearly, the nature of this control architecture presents several challenges over systems operating on X-Y-Z coordinates. Due to the complex kinematics involved in tracing a designated path, many developers have opted for “direct-drive” CNC platforms, where the Delta Robot’s speed and flexibility might otherwise prove beneficial. As such, its adoption in the consumer market has been severely limited, despite clear mechanical advantages in applications like 3D printing.
Delta Robots
The Delta Robot is a specialized CNC architecture designed for high speed manipulation of small objects over a large work area. It has advantages over traditional “cartesian” CNC systems in that the independent joint positioning prevents compounding errors and improves accuracy. One such device has been outlined above.Here the structure consists of 3 arms linked to a single point, and a central support brace to stabilize the assembly. The arms are controlled by motors at the top of the robot, adjusting the angle of each joint in order to position the head. A video of the Delta Robot in motion has been included to better outline its unique form of movement.
Clearly, the nature of this control architecture presents several challenges over systems operating on X-Y-Z coordinates. Due to the complex kinematics involved in tracing a designated path, many developers have opted for “direct-drive” CNC platforms, where the Delta Robot’s speed and flexibility might otherwise prove beneficial. As such, its adoption in the consumer market has been severely limited, despite clear mechanical advantages in applications like 3D printing.